The False Witnesses (Les faux témoins)
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Object Label
Brought before a tribunal presided over by the chief priest Caiaphas, Jesus, bound in chains but standing with dignified calm, hears many give testimony against him, though none can agree on a charge or crime, much to the frustration of the priests.
Tissot visually conveys the accumulation of these accusations by filling the gallery at left with a frenzied crowd, each person raising his hand to be heard by the judges, who occupy an unseen but elevated dais at the top of the stairs to the right.
Caption
James Tissot Nantes, France, 1836–1902, Chenecey–Buillon, France. The False Witnesses (Les faux témoins), 1886–1894. Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, Image: 8 x 11 13/16 in. (20.3 x 30 cm) Sheet: 8 x 11 13/16 in. (20.3 x 30 cm) Frame: 15 x 20 x 1 1/2 in. (38.1 x 50.8 x 3.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.244. No known copyright restrictions (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 00.159.244_PS2.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Artist
Title
The False Witnesses (Les faux témoins)
Date
1886–1894
Geography
Place made: France
Medium
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Classification
Dimensions
Image: 8 x 11 13/16 in. (20.3 x 30 cm) Sheet: 8 x 11 13/16 in. (20.3 x 30 cm) Frame: 15 x 20 x 1 1/2 in. (38.1 x 50.8 x 3.8 cm)
Signatures
Signed lower right: "J.J. Tissot"
Credit Line
Purchased by public subscription
Accession Number
00.159.244
Rights
No known copyright restrictions
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